Amber ColopyFOUNDER/CEOAmber, a mother of three, is a proud native of South Orange County. Her life took a heartbreaking turn when she lost her brother James to an accidental fentanyl overdose. James remains a constant presence in her thoughts, inspiring her to confront the challenges in her hometown of San Juan Capistrano. This profound loss ignited a passion within Amber to champion hope and community support as essential pillars for thriving individuals.
With a deep-rooted belief in the power of connection and a degree in Psychology, Amber utilizes her extensive network to bridge gaps and foster solidarity. While dedicating her earlier years to raising her three beautiful children, she has concurrently pursued a career as a realtor, serving the Orange County area for the past seven years. Amber's commitment to her community is unwavering as she endeavors to create a brighter future for those around her. Amber is passionate about spreading the transformative hope and love of Jesus to every person she meets.
Crystal CasasBOARD TREASURE/COO As the Director of Operations, Crystal brings over 20 years of dedicated experience in the IT industry to her role. Specializing in the implementation of enterprise software and system management within the healthcare sector, she possesses a wealth of expertise in optimizing operational efficiency.
Crystal's proficiency extends to building and training teams on complex systems, ensuring seamless operations and empowering staff to excel. Outside the office, she serves as the hospitality lead at her church. Through her leadership, she guides individuals towards realizing their full potential.
Crystal has a heart for Orange County, as she was raised here and also raised her 3 beautiful children here. Crystal treasures her family life, celebrating over two decades of marriage. With her blend of operational experience and compassionate leadership, Crystal is committed to participating in God’s kingdom moving in Orange County.
Brittney DinnieDIRECTOR OF ADVOCACYBrittney is the Director of Advocacy at The James Relief Project. Born and raised in south Orange County, she has a passion for caring for and defending the vulnerable, while advocating and offering a voice for the marginalized in her community. With over 15 years of experience in the field of social services and special education, and held multiple roles throughout. After graduating from the University of California, Irvine she developed and launched the Help Me Grow Program for 2-1-1 OC, which connects children with developmental disabilities to programs and services in Orange County. During her time spent in education she discovered her heart for guiding and empowering at-risk youth, and children with special needs teaching them to overcome challenges and encouraging them to unlock their full potential. After spending multiple years focusing on raising her own three children with her husband, she felt called to do more. For over ten years Brittney and her family have been fostering kids through Olive Crest. They are passionate about advocating for children in crisis and providing them with a safe and loving home, while partnering with birth parents to overcome obstacles and work towards reunification. Brittney lives by this scripture “ Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Mathew 25:40
Board of Directors
Jennifer Epp, Board Secretary
Jennifer Epp is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with extensive experience working with children and adults in the field of autism and developmental disabilities. With a specialization in Compliance, Jennifer also serves as a project manager, ensuring that all projects meet regulatory standards and operate efficiently. Her career includes several years as a Children’s Ministry Director, where she nurtured her passion for guiding and stewarding young disciples.
Jennifer is deeply committed to her faith and enjoys sharing her personal story and experiences over a cup of coffee. Married to her husband Jeremy for 15 years, they have three children together and are currently fostering, driven by Jennifer's immense compassion for providing safe and loving homes for children in need. Her dedication to her profession and her community is matched by her love for family and her unwavering faith.
Lydia McLaughlin, Board Member
A multifaceted professional, Lydia is a published author of three best-selling Bible studies, assumes the role of Executive Editor at NOBLEMAN Magazine, sits on the board of The Newfoundland Broadcasting Company and has contributed to Forbes. Known for her compelling speaking engagements on faith, she is a social media influencer with an impressive following of nearly one million across various platforms. Lydia loves Jesus and has been leading women’s Bible studies for over two decades. Amidst her achievements, Lydia prioritizes her faith and family, celebrating 18 years of marriage to Doug and nurturing their three sons – Stirling, Maverick, and Roman.
Tyler Colopy, Board Member
Tyler, a performance-driven professional and devoted Christian, specializes in project and program oversight, process enhancements, and fostering teamwork and leadership excellence. With a lifetime of following Jesus and over 16 years of experience in the professional world, Tyler possesses an excellent grasp of relational, technical and business requirements necessary to manage the needs of the company, clients, and co-workers.
His faith informs his approach to leadership, emphasizing integrity, compassion, and service. As he directs the evolution of operational and business solutions from concept through execution, Tyler consistently meets the needs of all stakeholders. His seasoned expertise allows him to adeptly manage both internal and external initiatives concurrently, ensuring successful delivery by defining scope and meeting client expectations.
Acting as the primary contact for senior clients and business unit leaders, Tyler builds strong relationships and facilitates effective communication. His deep understanding of clients’ business models allows him to educate them on industry trends and provide valuable recommendations. Additionally, Tyler leads client engagements, collaborates with subject matter experts, and actively contributes to the development of company best practices.
Sandy Flores, Board Member
Sandy is a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. With a heart deeply rooted in service, she has been actively involved in church and school ministries for over 26 years and counting. Currently she serves as ministry assistant to the lead pastor at Arbor Christian Fellowship in Lake Forest CA. As the mother of James, she has witnessed firsthand the struggles of addiction and homelessness. Yet, through these challenges, she has experienced the unwavering presence of God, igniting within her a passionate desire to instill hope in others. She continues to serve with compassion and determination, spreading the message that hope is always within reach and that God desires freedom for all his sons and daughters.
Jay Casas, Board Member
Jay Casas brings over 17 years of invaluable experience in law enforcement to our nonprofit board, having served in a variety of positions with a focus on narcotics and community policing. His dedication to improving drug regulation and reform stems from a profound passion for fostering safer and more equitable communities. Raised in Orange County, Jay has deep roots in the region and is committed to its betterment. Alongside his professional achievements, Jay takes pride in his family life, being happily married for over 20 years and raising three wonderful children. With his expertise and commitment to service, Jay is an invaluable asset to our board, driving positive change and advancing our mission.